Salesforce.com Launches File Connector with Links to SharePoint Online and OneDrive
Salesforce.com today launched a connector that aims to bridge its cloud-based CRM portfolio of services with enterprise file repositories. The new Salesforce File Connect will let organizations centralize their customer relationship management content with file stores including SharePoint and OneDrive with a connector to Google Drive coming in a few months.
The release of the connector to SharePoint and OneDrive was promised back in late May when both Salesforce.com and Microsoft announced a partnership to integrate their respective offerings. While the two companies have a longstanding rivalry, they also share significant overlapping customer bases. The companies at the time said they would enable OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online as integrated storage options for the Salesforce platform.
In today's announcement, Salesforce claims it's the first to create a repository that natively integrates CRM content and files among popular enterprise file stores. Salesforce.com said it provides a simple method of browsing, searching and sharing files located in various repositories.
Salesforce.com described two simple use cases. One would enable a sales rep to attach a presentation on OneDrive for Business to a sales lead in the Salesforce CRM app. The other would allow a service representative to pull an FAQ content form OneDrive for Business running in the Salesforce Service Cloud app.
The connector supports federated search to query repositories simultaneously from any device and lets users attach files to social feeds, groups or records, enabling them to find contextually relevant information in discussions running in Salesforce Chatter. The tool is also designed to enforce existing file permissions.
For customers and third-party software providers wanting to embed file sharing into their applications, Salesforce.com also is offering the Salesforce Files Connect API.
Posted by Jeffrey Schwartz on 12/17/2014 at 12:26 PM